CLEARWATER — The city may be poised to vote next month on whether to buy a vacant downtown lot from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, but that hasn't stopped the Church of Scientology from trying to acquire the property.

The church has upped its standing offer for the property and threw in a "sizable donation" to sweeten the deal, spokesman Ben Shaw confirmed Wednesday. He declined to disclose the church's new offer but said in a statement that it "far exceeds what the city can pay."

The City Council is scheduled to vote on its $4.25 million deal April 20.